Comprehensive Regional Assistance Centers (84.283)

 

Program

84.283 Comprehensive Regional Assistance Centers

 

Federal Agency

ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

 

Authorization

Educational Research, Development, Dissemination, and Improvement Act of 1994, as amended, Part K.

 

Program Number

84.283

 

Last Known Status

Active

 

Objectives

To help coordinate and integrate the implementation of Elementary and Secondary Education Act and other Federal education programs with State and local activities in ways that support Federal, State, and local efforts to improve teaching and learning and increase the academic achievement of all children.

 

Types of Assistance

Dissemination of Technical Information.

 

Uses and Use Restrictions

Provide training, technical assistance, and direct services in: Improving the quality of instruction, curricula, assessments, and other aspects of school reform; meeting the needs of children served under the ESEA, including children in high poverty areas, migratory children, immigrant children, children with limited English proficiency, neglected or delinquent children, homeless children and youth, Indian children, children with disabilities, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian children, and children living in urban and rural areas; implementing high-quality professional development activities for school personnel; improving the quality of bilingual education; creating safe and drug-free learning environments; implementing educational applications of technology; expanding the involvement and participation of parents in the education of their children; reforming schools, schools systems, and the governance and management of schools; disseminating information; and evaluating programs. Does not provide direct funding to public or private schools, but the activities undertaken by the centers benefit those schools.

 

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Public or private nonprofit entities, or consortia of such entities.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Agencies supporting or providing elementary and secondary education will benefit, including state and local educational agencies, schools, Indian tribes, community-based organizations, and other recipients of funds under ESEA.

Credentials/Documentation

None.

 

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

Applications or proposals must be prepared and submitted in accordance with applicable program announcements.

Award Procedure

After completion of competitive review of applications, the Department makes the final decision on the approval and funding of applications.

Deadlines

Contact the headquarters for application deadlines.

 

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Appeals

None.

Renewals

None.

 

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

None.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Grants may be awarded for up to 5 years subject to the availability of funds and performance by the grantee.

 

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Specified reporting requirements are included in the grant or cooperative agreement document.

Audits

As required by EDGAR, 34 CFR 74.

Records

Records must be kept for 3 years after the completion of the activity that grant funds were used.

 

Program Accomplishments

Awards were made to 15 centers in fiscal year 2001.

 

Financial Information

Account Identification

91-0500-0-1-501.

Obligations

(Salary and expenses) FY 02 $28,000,000; FY 03 est $28,000,000; and FY 04 est $0.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

For fiscal year 2001, the average award was $1,867,000.

 

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

Regulations applicable to this program are in The Department of Education's General Administrative Regulations (34 CFR Parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 85, and 86).

 

Related Programs

84.004, Civil Rights Training and Advisory Services; 84.168, Eisenhower Professional Development_Federal Activities.

 

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Goals 2000, Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave., SW., Washington DC 20202. Contact: Patricia Gore. Telephone: (202) 260-1882.

Web Site Address

http://www.ed.gov/offices/OESE

 

Examples of Funded Projects

One comprehensive regional assistance center has set as its goal the implementation of a system of sustained and comprehensive support that improves teaching and learning in schools in the region, resulting in high academic achievement for all students, particularly those at risk of educational failure. The center provides high-quality support and professional development and assistant to schools; establishing a proactive and coordinated system of technical assistance with partners at the local, State and national levels; and provides technical assistance and research-based information supported by technology. In working with client educational agencies, the center uses awareness of the need for change, greater responsibility for student achievement, requirements of recent legislation and the promise of technology as openings to help move clients from token or tentative reform measures to more comprehensive ones. Consistent with statutory priorities, the center concentrates on assisting school-wide programs and those who serve children from high-poverty schools.

 

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Criteria include: (1) Meeting the purpose of the authorizing statue; (2) extent of need for the center; (3) plan of operation; (4) quality of key personnel; (5) budget and cost-effectiveness; (6) evaluation plan; and (7) adequacy of resources.